Guest guest Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 Researchers More than Double Worms Lifespan Researchers have more than doubled the lifespan of worms by simply depriving them of a micronutrient called coenzyme Q. Drs. Pamela L Larsen and F e found that adult worms fed on a coenzyme Q diet lived 59% longer than those fed a normal diet. Coenzyme Q is an antioxidant that helps to transport electrons during cellular respiration, however Larsen and e say that their results suggest that the substance may also have a " pro-oxidant " effect. If this is true, reducing the animals' consumption of coenzyme Q may extend lifespan by lowering oxidative damage to cells. However, the researchers say that it is not possible to lengthen the animals' lifespan simply by feeding them a coenzyme Q-free diet from birth, as worms fed such a diet were found to be significantly more likely to develop reproductive defects. SOURCE/REFERENCE: Science 2001; 295:120-123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 23, 2003 Report Share Posted December 23, 2003 Researchers More than Double Worms Lifespan Researchers have more than doubled the lifespan of worms by simply depriving them of a micronutrient called coenzyme Q. Drs. Pamela L Larsen and F e found that adult worms fed on a coenzyme Q diet lived 59% longer than those fed a normal diet. Coenzyme Q is an antioxidant that helps to transport electrons during cellular respiration, however Larsen and e say that their results suggest that the substance may also have a " pro-oxidant " effect. If this is true, reducing the animals' consumption of coenzyme Q may extend lifespan by lowering oxidative damage to cells. However, the researchers say that it is not possible to lengthen the animals' lifespan simply by feeding them a coenzyme Q-free diet from birth, as worms fed such a diet were found to be significantly more likely to develop reproductive defects. SOURCE/REFERENCE: Science 2001; 295:120-123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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